No. 1 Hofstra hosts surprise No. 4 Delaware on April 30, also at 7 p.m., in the other semifinal. The winners of the two match ups will meet in the CAA championship at the site of the highest remaining seed.

Opening Face-Off
The Tigers come into Wednesday’s game as the defending CAA champions and the No. 3 seed. They face No. 2-seeded Drexel in Philadelphia. The Dragons remain 16th in the country this week after an 11-8 win at High Point on April 25.

Updating the Tigers
Towson has had a week to rest after finishing the regular season with a 15-9 loss to then-No. 10 Penn on April 22. The Tigers are looking to snap a three-game losing skid. Their last victory came on April 5, a 6-5 decision over UMass at Amherst, Mass.

Scouting the Dragons
Drexel finished the regular season with an 11-8 win at High Point last Friday. It was the Dragons’ sixth straight win. They scored the first four goals of the game and didn’t look back. Ben McIntosh led Drexel with a hat trick, while Jules Raucci and Jared Boudreau each had a pair of tallies.

Three Things to Watch – Towson vs. Drexel1. A little of that old magic. In 2013, Towson was the No. 3 seed going into the CAA tournament and faced Drexel in the semifinals, just a week after playing the Dragons in the regular season. Towson avenged a 14-11 loss on Vidas Field with an 11-8 win at PSU Lacrosse Field. This year, the Tigers are the No. 3 seed and lost 13-7 to Drexel at The U on April 19 before heading to Vidas Field 11 days later looking for another rebound. Towson will need some of the mojo the Tigers found in 2013 to power into this year’s championship.2. Hail Hydra. Drexel’s offense lately has been Hydra-like: cut off one head and two more sprout up. In the loss on April 19, the Tigers limited Ben McIntosh and Nick Trizano but couldn’t account for Cole Shafer, a freshman who exploded for a career-best five goals. The Dragons have six players who have scored 13 or more goals. They will be a challenge for Towson’s defensive unit.3. The benefit of youth? Towson has 17 newcomers on the roster (five starters); Tigers who weren’t around for the 2013 CAA championship run. Perhaps the upside of all that youth is a lack of pressure to defend a title they didn’t win.

TOWSON, Md. – Offensive tackle Eric Pike (DuVal H.S./Landover, Md.) was named as the winner of the Doc Minnegan Award as the team’s Most Valuable Player at the annual Towson University football awards ceremony on Saturday, April 26.

Pike, who set a school record by starting all 50 games of his college career, is only the third offensive lineman to win the award which was started in 1969. He joins Mike Gunthrop (1992) and Joe Ripple (2005) as the only linemen to be honored with the award which was named in honor of former Towson Director of Athletics Doc Minnegan.

A two-year captain, Pike was a consensus first team All-American selection as a senior. He earned All-Colonial Athletic Association honors three times, including first team notice as a junior and senior. During his career, he helped the Tigers win two CAA championships and make two appearances in the NCAA FCS playoffs. As a senior, he helped the Tigers post a 13-3 record and reach the national championship game.

Record-setting running back Terrance West (Northwestern H.S./Baltimore, Md.) was named as the Tigers’ Offensive Player of the Year while linebacker Monte Gaddis (Central Catholic H.S./Cleveland, Ohio) was the team’s Defensive Player of the Year award winner.

The CAA Offensive Player of the Year, West set NCAA FCS records with 2,509 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns. Gaddis made 124 tackles as a senior while earning second team All-CAA notice.

Quarterback Ryan Egolf (Bishop Shanahan H.S./Phoenixville, Md.) was the winner of the Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year award while linebacker James Simms (Reservoir H.S./Laurel, Md.) earned the Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year award. The Scout Team Special Teams Player of the Year award was presented to defensive back Al Augustine (George Washington H.S./Wyncote, Pa.).

All of the members of the 2013 Tigers were presented with rings commemorating their historic march to the NCAA FCS championship game which included wins over Fordham, No. 2 Eastern Illinois and No. 3 Eastern Washington.

The Tigers’ 14 All-CAA selections were also presented with their awards while the 14 Tigers who were selected to the CAA Academic All-Conference also received their awards.

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TOWSON, Md. – Coming off a historic 2013 season, Coach Rob Ambrose and the Towson University football team will conclude their spring season when the Tigers host Tiger Bowl IV on Minnegan Field at Johnny Unitas® Stadium on Saturday, April 26 at 1:00 p.m.

Last year, the Tiger Bowl attracted more than 1,500 fans to Unitas Stadium. Admission to the Tiger Bowl is free and it is open to the public.

Although there is no admission charge to Tiger Bowl IV, all fans attending the game are asked to donate food items to Maryland Food Bank on their way into the stadium. The Maryland Food Bank will have barrels placed outside the stadium to collect donations.

Schedule cards and posters will also be available to everyone attending Tiger Bowl IV.

Current season ticket holders are encouraged to renew their season tickets at Tiger Bowl IV. New season tickets can also be purchased at the event. The Towson Athletics ticket office will be open 90 minutes prior to kickoff.

Veteran Tiger football fans may need a game program to identify the Tiger players who are participating in Tiger Bowl IV. The Tigers graduated 19 seniors from the 2013 squad that reached the NCAA FCS championship game. In addition, All-American Terrance West decided to forgo his senior season and made himself eligible for the NFL Draft.

The Tigers lost two consensus first team All-Americans (Eric Pike and West) and four other players who earned All-American notice (Randall Harris, Jordan Love, Monte Gaddis and Telvion Clark). A total of eight of those players were named to the All-Colonial Athletic Association teams.

However, the Tigers still have cause for optimism. Fullback Emmanuel Holder, a first team All-CAA selection last season, and wide receiver Spencer Wilkins, a third team All-CAA pick in 2013, provide the offense with two talented players with experience.

The defense has six starters returning from last year’s squad. Defensive ends Ryan Dellaire and Drew Cheripkojoin Jon Desir as veterans returning on the defensive line. Dellaire earned first team All-CAA honors last season and ranked among the national leaders with 11.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for lost yardage. In the secondary, cornerback Tye Smith returns along with safeties Donnell Lewis and Christian Carpenter.

Smith earned All-America notice after making 103 tackles with two interceptions and 12 pass breakups. A first team All-CAA selection as a sophomore, Carpenter made 98 tackles and intercepted four passes last season. Honored as the CAA Defensive Player of the Week twice, Lewis made 93 tackles, intercepted four passes and had 13 pass breakups.

The Tiger defense is bolstered by the return of linebacker Bryton Barr, who missed last season with an injury. Two years ago, Barr made 77 tackles as a first-year freshman at outside linebacker.

In addition to all the newcomers on the roster, the Tigers’ spring season has been hampered by the absence of a significant number of players who have been recovering from off-season surgeries.

“Last year was a great one but it was also a long season,” says Ambrose. “We basically played an NFL schedule (16 games). We opened our season five days before the Baltimore Ravens did and we were still playing when their season ended. That is a lot of football. Players get hurt and they need time to recover. We have great doctors and a great rehab team. But it still takes time.

“We are very, very young,” adds Ambrose, who has led Towson to a 32-29 record in five years as the Tigers’ head coach. “However, we are also very talented. All these guys need is some experience.”

The game was delayed twice for lightning; the second delay lasted for nearly two hours. Freshman Joe Seider led the Tigers with a hat trick. Junior Justin Mabus added four points on two goals and two assists. Nick Doktor posted three goals for Penn, while Isaac Bock and Chris Hilburn each tallied two.

“I thought the first half was hot and cold,” noted Head Coach Shawn Nadelen. “Being down two goals, I thought we were in good position but we came out kind of flat. They did a great job ramping up their offense, which they’re known to do … We got caught on our heels. It’s hard to swallow. There’s no reason for us to do that. ”

For the second straight game, Mabus opened the scoring at 14:03 in the first. He closed the quarter with his second of the evening, off an assist from senior Thomas DeNapoli exactly 13 minutes later to put the Tigers up 3-2.

However, Bock’s and Doktor’s four total goals – they book-ended the second quarter, each with a pair of back-to-back goals – gave the Quakers a 6-4 lead at the half, just before the first lightning delay. Doktors’ two goals at the end of the second quarter kicked off a six-goal Quaker run that extended Penn’s lead to 10-4 at 10:58 in the third.

DeNapoli and Mabus teamed up again for DeNapoli’s first goal in three games at 10:03 before Mike Powersscored for Penn, and the game entered its second lightning delay with 7:18 remaining in the third frame. Both teams had one hour and 53 minutes to wait before resuming play.

The Quakers were quicker off the restart, scoring three of the next five goals to hold a comfortable 14-7 advantage with 9:22 left in the game.

Towson continues to wait for its Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Tournament seed. The Tigers’ fate depends on the outcome of this weekend’s CAA contests.

Opening Face-Off
The Tigers close the regular season Tuesday evening with the Quakers. Penn finished its Ivy season with a 9-3 win over Dartmouth. The Quakers have one more game left – against Saint John’s on Friday, April 25.

Updating the Tigers
Towson has now lost two straight after a 13-7 defeat to No. 18 Drexel on April 19 at home. Junior Justin Mabus recorded his first career hat trick to lead the Tigers. Prior to the contest Towson honored its six seniors, and at halftime, the Tigers celebrated the 40th anniversary of their 1974 college division national title with a midfield ceremony.

Scouting the Quakers
Penn comes into Tuesday’s contest on a four-game win streak. The Quakers finished their Ivy League season with a 9-3 win over Dartmouth that capped a 4-2 overall league record. Penn had a tough schedule in 2014, facing four nationally ranked teams and coming out of those contests with an even 2-2 record. Five players have 10 or more goals, and eight have 10 or more points this season. Their goalkeeper, Brian Feeney, is ranked in the top 20 in the NCAA in goals-against average, save percentage and saves per game.

Towson-Penn Series History
The Tigers and the Quakers have met just twice and split those games. Towson defeated Penn on April 26, 2008, 18-12, at home. Exactly a year later, the Quakers earned a 10-6 victory in Philadelphia.

Last Time Out vs. Penn: April 26, 2009 (Penn 10, Towson 6)
Led by three goals from Justin Schneider, Towson University built a 6-4 lead over the University of Pennsylvania in the first three quarters before the Quakers used a six-goal run over the last 15 minutes to earn their second win in three games, 10-6, over the Tigers at Franklin Field. Craig Andrzejewski and Morgan Griff each tallied a hat trick to lead the Quakers. Rob Wheeler made nine saves in net for Towson.

Three Things to Watch1. Coming in hot. The Penn defense has limited its last four opponents to 23 total goals. The Quakers are 18th in the NCAA in scoring defense, and close defender Mat McMahon is 17th in the nation in caused turnovers. The Tigers have struggled on offense recently, scoring just 20 goals in their last four games.2. Offense-Defense. Towson’s defense is none too shabby itself, ranking 25th in scoring defense (9.23) and 13th in man-down defense (7.11). Penn is one of the lower-octane offenses Towson has faced recently, with leading scorer Zack Losco scoring just 24 points.3. First to last. Coming into the end of the season, Towson is being outscored in the first and last quarters of games. Penn is being outscored in the first and second, while the Quakers have seized control of the fourth quarter (30-18). Both Penn and Towson are even with their opponents in goals scored in the third quarter. This game could come down to who gets off to the hotter start.

Next Up
The Tigers’ opponent for the CAA Tournament semifinals will be determined this weekend with the conclusion of CAA regular season play.

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With the win, Drexel clinches the No. 2 seed in the CAA Tournament. Towson’s seeding is still undetermined due to a potential three-way tie for third place between the Tigers, Penn State and UMass. The Minutemen play at Delaware on April 25, and the Nittany Lions host No. 1-seeded Hofstra on April 26. Despite being ineligible for the postseason, PSU does still factor into the standings.

“Congratulations to Drexel,” said Head Coach Shawn Nadelen. “They came out and played a solid game. I thought our guys played with good energy, but we were a little sloppy off the ground and we didn’t capitalize on our offensive opportunities.”

Mabus scored for the Tigers at 11:52 in the first quarter, but Drexel ran out to a 3-1 lead at 8:10 after a pair of Shafer goals. Towson kept pace, but the Dragons took a 5-4 lead into the half. Drexel used a five-goal third quarter to distance itself from Towson and claim victory.

The Dragons continued to have the hot hand in the third quarter, taking a 9-4 lead at 5:46 on a goal from Ben McIntosh. McCarty scored unassisted at 5:02 for Towson’s only goal of the frame. But the Dragons scored the next three to remain ahead for the rest of the way.

TOWSON, Md. – Towson hosts No. 18 Drexel on Saturday, April 19 in the Tigers’ Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) regular season finale at 7 p.m. at Unitas Stadium. Both teams have clinched berths in the CAA tournament, which begins on April 30.

Opening Face-Off
Towson will honor its six seniors tonight in a brief, pre-game ceremony. The Tigers are coming off an 8-1 loss to Penn State at home on April 12. Drexel comes into tonight’s contest riding a four-game win streak after a 13-9 win over UMass last weekend.

Updating the Tigers
Freshman Mike Lynch scored with 54.7 seconds left to keep the Tigers from being shut out by Penn State, 8-1, last weekend. Towson struggled with turnovers throughout the contest.

Scouting the Dragons
Drexel comes into the game ranked 18th in the nation after posting a 13-9 win over UMass. Seven different Dragons scored in the victory. Nick Trizano led the way with a hat trick. Drexel has now won four straight, and a Dragon victory tonight would clinch the number two seed and the right to host a CAA tournament semifinal game.

Towson-Drexel Series History
Towson has dominated this series over its history, holding a 38-7 advantage all-time. However, Drexel has held its own in the last five games, winning three including the first meeting between the teams in 2013. In the second meeing – during the CAA semifinals – Towson exacted revenge by defeating the Dragons, 11-8, en route to winning the 2013 CAA title.

Last Time Out vs. Drexel: May 1, 2013 (Towson 11, Drexel 8)Ben McCarty scored a career-best six goals to lead Towson men’s lacrosse over Drexel, 11-8, and into the CAA Tournament final. McCarty’s six goals led all scorers. Andrew Hodgson contributed two goals, while Justin Mabus had three assists. Andrew Wascavage made 14 saves for Towson. Robert Church led Drexel with five points (3g, 2a). The Tigers advanced to the CAA finals for the seventh time overall and first since 2010 when they defeated UMass in the semifinals before falling to Delaware in the championship game. McCarty scored three goals in each half. Towson led 9-3 at the start of the third quarter before stalling offensively and allowing five goals. The Tigers righted the ship in the fourth, holding the Dragons scoreless for the win.

Three Things to Watch1. The Avengers. This is the first meeting between the teams since Towson defeated Drexel in the CAA semifinals. The Tigers performed poorly against Penn State last weekend, the team Towson beat for the 2013 CAA title. Will there be a hangover?2. Six was the magic number. A Tiger scored six goals in each of the meetings between the teams last season – Thomas DeNapoli did so in the 14-11 loss on April 20 before Ben McCarty did so in the CAA semifinal win. Will either player or any Tiger be able to lead the offensive production like that this year?3. Offense, defense, special teams. The Dragons have scored 49 goals in their last four games (12.25 gpg) and are averaging 11.75 gpg for the season. Towson has scored 22 in the same span and is averaging just 8.42 gpg. On the other hand, Drexel allows opponents 10.42 gpg to the Tigers’ 8.92 gpg allowed. Towson is also fourth in the nation this week in man-down defense, killing 75.6 percent of their penalties. Drexel leads the CAA with 1.58 EMO goals per game and is second in the league in man-up scoring percentage (.388).

Senior Day
The Tigers will honor their six seniors Saturday evening. Seniors Peter Athens, Thomas DeNapoli, John Fennessy, Devin Grimaldi, Johnny Gallagher and Max Siskind will be recognized, along with their parents in a brief, pre-game ceremony. The Ferrante scholarship will also be awarded to a member of the junior class.

Next Up
Towson finishes its regular season with nationally ranked Penn on Tuesday, April 22 at 7 p.m. in Unitas Stadium.